Softopper Canopies

[deer_hnter]

After another hunting season with my '23 Colorado, I'm realizing that as much as I like my bakflip hard toneau cover, the bed size with it installed in simply too limiting. Going to have to bite the bullet and get a canopy. Been looking at Leer & Snug Top, but getting more intruiged by the Softopper, particulary for the ability to also run their Exo Bed Rack with it. My primary concern and hence my question here is related to security. Being a former Jeep YJ owner with a soft top, all I can think about is not being able to secure the contents in the bed without risk of somebody cutting it. Anybody have any experience with this canopy? Unsure whether I'm overthinking this - TIA!

[full choke]

After another hunting season with my '23 Colorado, I'm realizing that as much as I like my bakflip hard toneau cover, the bed size with it installed in simply too limiting. Going to have to bite the bullet and get a canopy. Been looking at Leer & Snug Top, but getting more intruiged by the Softopper, particulary for the ability to also run their Exo Bed Rack with it. My primary concern and hence my question here is related to security. Being a former Jeep YJ owner with a soft top, all I can think about is not being able to secure the contents in the bed without risk of somebody cutting it. Anybody have any experience with this canopy? Unsure whether I'm overthinking this - TIA!

I have no experience with the soft tops. If security is your only concern, I wouldn't worry about it. If some piece of dirt wants what is inside your hardtop canopy a rock will give them pretty easy access.
The soft tops look like they have some key advantages for customized use. I would make your decision based on which type of canopy fits your recreational style vs which is more (or less) secure.

[92xj]

Get a Flated topper and let us know how it is. 
I’ve yet to know someone that has tried one, but I’m so curious about real world experience and opinion.   

[deer_hnter]

After another hunting season with my '23 Colorado, I'm realizing that as much as I like my bakflip hard toneau cover, the bed size with it installed in simply too limiting. Going to have to bite the bullet and get a canopy. Been looking at Leer & Snug Top, but getting more intruiged by the Softopper, particulary for the ability to also run their Exo Bed Rack with it. My primary concern and hence my question here is related to security. Being a former Jeep YJ owner with a soft top, all I can think about is not being able to secure the contents in the bed without risk of somebody cutting it. Anybody have any experience with this canopy? Unsure whether I'm overthinking this - TIA!

I have no experience with the soft tops. If security is your only concern, I wouldn't worry about it. If some piece of dirt wants what is inside your hardtop canopy a rock will give them pretty easy access.
The soft tops look like they have some key advantages for customized use. I would make your decision based on which type of canopy fits your recreational style vs which is more (or less) secure.

Valid points - thank you

[deer_hnter]

Get a Flated topper and let us know how it is. 
I’ve yet to know someone that has tried one, but I’m so curious about real world experience and opinion.

Those are interesting but I just can't get behind that inflatable version; just can't see them lasting through many branches.

[swampjunke]

Love mine. Super easy, collapsible and keeps my stuff dry.

[dwils233]

I used to have one before I found a steal on a fiberglass topper and upgraded.

I think they are great if you a) don't need a roof rack b) want to keep stuff covered and relatively dry, and c0 can accept the other compromises- like security.

While I never had a problem even parking in downtown Spokane with stuff in the back, I did have two issues: My dog ended up tearing it up near a zipper pretty bad, but I was able to stitch it up (so maybe that's a good thing?). The other was the clear plastic windows. One cracked in extreme cold and I patched it with a clear vinyl patch, but my dog had also scratched them all up pretty bad and ruined visibility. But once again, they are replaceable so that's a mitigated downside.

[jamesfromseattle]

I used to have one before I found a steal on a fiberglass topper and upgraded.

I think they are great if you a) don't need a roof rack b) want to keep stuff covered and relatively dry, and c0 can accept the other compromises- like security.

While I never had a problem even parking in downtown Spokane with stuff in the back, I did have two issues: My dog ended up tearing it up near a zipper pretty bad, but I was able to stitch it up (so maybe that's a good thing?). The other was the clear plastic windows. One cracked in extreme cold and I patched it with a clear vinyl patch, but my dog had also scratched them all up pretty bad and ruined visibility. But once again, they are replaceable so that's a mitigated downside.

Saw a “WildTop” recently. Soft topper with a metal frame/rack that is pretty sturdy. I think they’re a relatively new addition to the market but seem aimed at addressing the lack of roof rack issue. Will be curious to see if they catch on.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I like mine on my 2500 ram 8ft box.  I sleep in it when necessary.   Easy to take down if I'm hauling motorcycles or an atv.  I had a hard top and got rid of that right away.  I've learned nothing is really secure in a truck.

[jamesfromseattle]

Anyone know what sort of impact soft tops have on mileage? Not sure why it’d be different than a similar shape hard top, but I’m not a physicist.

[blackpowderhunter]

I had a soft topper on my little duramax colorado, LOVED IT.
the ability to fold it down to actually haul big stuff is a massive benefit.  stored it up in the rafters of the garage when not in use (5 min on and off by yourself)
Sure, it might not be as air tight/water tight as a hard shell, but its a hell of a lot cheaper, lighter, and more versatile.
some cool add ons like the tent, or screened back window for if you got your pup back there.
again with regards to security, just be smart...ultimate combo would be a decked system with the soft topper, keep stuff out of sight.
i feel like the amount of hard toppers with broken windows i see is pretty high anyways.

[bearhunter99]

I have one and it has been great.  I run a hard topper in the winter and run the soft top in the summer when I need more truck bed access usually.  I have not had any issues with it and it is very versatile.  I fold it down if I am going to be going through brushy areas because I don't want the plastic windows getting scratched up.  The dogs love it becasue the sides can be rolled up but there is still the metal frame that deters them jumping out.

I recently installed the decked system though and will probably just leave the hard top on the truck so I might be selling the soft top.  I can use the 78 Ford in the summer if I need a bed.